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Search for other missing Singaporean kayaker called off, no new clues

The search operations for missing Singaporean kayaker Tan Eng Soon was called off at 9pm on Sunday night, the Malaysian Maritime Enforcement Agency (MMEA) said in a press release yesterday.

Director of the Johor Maritime division, First Admiral (Maritime) Aminuddin Abdul Rashid, said in the press release: "Search and rescue (SAR) operations were terminated after no new clues were discovered, following the discovery of the female victim on Aug 14."

He added that the search would be reactivated if new clues are found.

Mr Tan, 62, and Madam Puah Geok Tin, 57, were kayaking around the Endau islands near Mersing, Johor, on Aug 8 with 13 others when they drifted away from the group amid rough conditions and went missing.

On Aug 13, the pair's double kayak and personal belongings were found near Tanjung Gelang, which is close to Kuantan Port in Pahang and about 30km south of Kemaman in Terengganu state.

A day later, Madam Puah's body was found floating five nautical miles east of Kuala Kemaman by local fishermen.

The SAR operations lasted 10 days and involved 155 personnel, five air assets and 11 marine assets from agencies including the Royal Malaysia Police, Fire and Rescue Department of Malaysia, Royal Malaysian Navy and Malaysian Civil Defence Force.

Praising the efforts of the maritime community, fishermen and other locals, First Admiral (Maritime) Aminuddin said: "MMEA commends the highest honour to all parties involved directly or indirectly."

In a statement yesterday, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs (MFA) expressed its "deep appreciation to the Malaysian government and all Malaysian agencies" for their help in the SAR operations.

"We have been heartened by the support and assistance of ordinary Malaysians from all walks of life, especially the fishermen in the area who played a critical role in the recovery efforts. We express our deepest sympathies to the families of the two Singaporeans involved in a mishap... Our thoughts and prayers are with the families during this difficult time."